Internal Auditor Onboarding Checklist

Internal Auditor Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Internal Auditor starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Accounting onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Internal Auditor, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Internal Auditor onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Internal Auditor Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to company policies and procedures: The internal auditor should receive a comprehensive overview of the company’s policies and procedures, including the code of conduct, ethics, and compliance guidelines. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated compliance officer.

2. Familiarization with the organizational structure: The internal auditor should be introduced to the company’s organizational structure, including key departments, reporting lines, and decision-making processes. This task is usually performed by the supervisor or a senior member of the internal audit team.

3. Review of previous audit reports: The internal auditor should be provided with access to previous audit reports to gain insights into the company’s historical audit findings, areas of concern, and recommendations. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

4. Training on audit methodologies and tools: The internal auditor should receive training on the specific audit methodologies and tools used by the company, such as data analytics software, risk assessment frameworks, and audit workpapers. This task is usually performed by the internal audit team or a designated training department.

5. Introduction to key stakeholders: The internal auditor should be introduced to key stakeholders within the company, including senior management, department heads, and other relevant personnel. This task is typically performed by the supervisor or a designated liaison.

6. Review of relevant laws and regulations: The internal auditor should be provided with an overview of the laws and regulations applicable to the company’s industry, ensuring compliance in audit activities. This task is typically performed by the compliance officer or legal department.

7. Access to necessary systems and data: The internal auditor should be granted access to the company’s systems, databases, and relevant data sources required for conducting audits. This task is typically performed by the IT department in coordination with the internal audit team.

8. Shadowing experienced auditors: The internal auditor should have the opportunity to shadow experienced auditors to gain practical insights into the audit process, techniques, and best practices. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

9. Introduction to audit planning and scheduling: The internal auditor should be familiarized with the company’s audit planning and scheduling processes, including how audits are prioritized, assigned, and tracked. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

10. Review of current audit projects: The internal auditor should be provided with an overview of ongoing audit projects, their objectives, timelines, and key deliverables. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

11. Training on company-specific systems and processes: The internal auditor should receive training on the company’s specific systems, processes, and controls to understand their functionality and relevance to the audit process. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

12. Introduction to reporting requirements: The internal auditor should be familiarized with the company’s reporting requirements, including the format, content, and frequency of audit reports. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

13. Review of internal audit manual and templates: The internal auditor should be provided with the company’s internal audit manual and templates to ensure consistency and adherence to established audit methodologies. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

14. Introduction to continuous improvement initiatives: The internal auditor should be introduced to the company’s continuous improvement initiatives, such as Lean Six Sigma or process improvement programs, to understand their relevance to the audit process. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or a designated continuous improvement department.

15. Performance expectations and goal setting: The internal auditor should have a discussion with the supervisor to establish performance expectations, set goals, and define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the role. This task is typically performed by the supervisor or the internal audit team.

16. Ongoing training and professional development: The internal auditor should be informed about the company’s commitment to ongoing training and professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences, seminars, or obtaining relevant certifications. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

17. Introduction to the company’s risk management framework: The internal auditor should be introduced to the company’s risk management framework, including how risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated. This task is typically performed by the risk management department or the internal audit team.

18. Collaboration with other departments: The internal auditor should be encouraged to collaborate with other departments, such as finance, operations, or compliance, to gain a holistic understanding of the company’s operations and identify potential areas of risk. This task is typically facilitated by the internal audit team or the supervisor.

19. Introduction to quality assurance and improvement program: The internal auditor should be familiarized with the company’s quality assurance and improvement program, which ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal audit function. This task is typically performed by the internal audit team or a designated quality assurance department.

20. Performance review and feedback sessions: The internal auditor should have regular performance review and feedback sessions with the supervisor to discuss strengths, areas for improvement, and career development opportunities. This task is typically performed by the supervisor or the internal audit team

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Internal Auditor checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Internal Auditor up to speed and working well in your Accounting team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.